WHAT: The University of Missouri Raptor Rehabilitation Project will release a mature bald eagle back into the wild after several months of rehabilitation.

The University of Missouri Raptor Rehabilitation Project will release the mature bald eagle named “Eagle Rare” back into the wild on Dec. 11.

WHO:

Members of the University of Missouri Raptor Rehabilitation Project

WHERE: Eagle Bluffs Conservation Area

WHEN: 10-11 a.m., Saturday, Dec. 11, 2010

WHY: The Raptor Rehabilitation Project provides a mechanism for educating the public about birds of prey, combining natural history and species information with personal experience to deliver educational programs throughout mid-Missouri. The project also gives veterinary students, community members, and other students the opportunity to work hands-on with professional veterinary medical faculty and cutting-edge technology to rehabilitate and release injured or ill birds.

Eagle Rare is a mature bald eagle who was brought to the Raptor Rehabilitation Project on Jan. 23, 2010. She had been found near Paris, Mo., by a member of the public who had previously observed her and a mate building a nest. She was found unable to fly with a clearly broken left wing. Later radiographs showed that in addition to the fractures in her left wing, she had also broken her pelvis. Surgery was performed to repair the fractures in the wing. In April, when her fractures had healed, she was moved into a flight cage for further rehabilitation. She has continued to improve and is now flying strongly and is ready to return to the wild.

NOTE: This event is free and open to the public. Weather permitting, project volunteers will respond to questions an hour prior to the release of the eagle at 10 a.m. The Raptor Rehabilitation Project encourages community members and students to volunteer for opportunities, including helping to feed and care for birds of prey, as well as participating in our educational programs.